Groups say head-scarf ban for Muslim officers condones prejudice

Two groups that protect workers said Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman and Police Chief Kim Jacobs should reconsider their prohibition of head scarves for female Muslim police-officer candidates because it condones prejudice even if it's unintentional.

"We're trying to convince the mayor and the chief that they've made a mistake," said Frederick M. Gittes, a Columbus lawyer and president of Protecting Ohio's Employees, a nonprofit group that promotes workplace diversity and fair-employment practices.

"It's good for the department, good for the public and good for the officers to have a diverse police force and to allow individual adaptations for religious reasons that don't affect officers' safety," he said.